All was quiet on the sibling front as we packed the groceries and ourselves into the car and headed home. Peacefully driving along, my chitchat with Dearest was suddenly interrupted by an outraged howl.

“Momma, Venny HIT ME!” Wailing, and real tears.

Dearest and I exploded into laughter.

Dearest decided to get in the groove. “You know, I think Venny should say sorry for hitting. We don’t hit in this family.”

Silence from the back seat. Sullen silence.

“Has Venny said sorry yet?” I asked Bonhomme.

“No, she didn’t.” Bonhomme was very put out.

“Well, then I guess Venny’s going to have to have a time-out. We get time-outs when we don’t say we’re sorry and give people hugs.”

“Momma, Venny gave me a hug!”

I turned to look at Bonhomme’s delighted face.

“Well, that’s lovely! I’m so pleased!”

“Me too!”

And we arrived home, a cheerful toddler, two exhausted parents, a car full of groceries, and one fully dimensional imaginary friend.

If I’m going to have to arbitrate for non-existent people for very long, I’m going to start having imaginary friends too. Except mine are going to like to drink. A lot.